# NTSB LAX92FA211: Taylorcraft BL, N26535, Chandler, AZ, May 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1992, 12:59 local (19:59 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.23933, -111.78086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2393&lon=-111.7809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA211

## Probable cause

AN EXCESSIVE PULL-UP DURING DEPARTURE AND A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS CONTINUED FLIGHT OPERATIONS WITH KNOWN AIRWORTHINESS DEFICIENCIES.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - pitot/static system - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE DEPARTING ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT IN THE LOCAL AREA.  WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE LIFT OFF AND THEN FLY THE REMAINING LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 10 FEET AGL.  AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE ROTATED INTO A NEAR VERTICAL CLIMB TO ABOUT 300 FEET AGL.  THE AIRPLANE THEN STALLED AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND WITH A ONE TURN SPIN TO THE LEFT, STRIKING THE EDGE OF AN IRRIGATION DITCH.  THE AIRPLANE HAD A MODIFIED AIRSPEED PITOT/STATIC SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26535](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26535-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 1876, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BL
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BL](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bl) (registry code 8850346) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1876
- Airframe hours: 3468
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cobb, Charles
- Registered owner: Cobb, Charles
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1991, 3 hours before
- Departed: P10
- Destination: P10
- Airport: P10, Chandler, runway 4, 4,395 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,446 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920519015449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920519015449A), May 19, 1992: Tcraft BL, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Buzzed runway then rotated to near vertical climb at end. Stalled. Entered start of spin. Impacted vertically.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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